Sugar Ain't So Sweet

Posted on 05/10/18

Sugar ain’t so Sweet

We all grew up knowing that sugar is a no-no when it comes to maintaining a healthy waistline and good dental hygiene, but very few of us know that sugar can accelerate the skins ageing process and exacerbate acne formation – both as a teen and an adult!

Sugar and Ageing

Researchers have discovered that consumption of high glycemic index (high-GI) foods lead to a rapid rise in blood glucose levels. This triggers a series of biochemical reactions in the cells that cause inflammation and glycation, ultimately leading to accelerated ageing of the body.

Glycation in the skin occurs when blood sugar levels rapidly rise and sugar molecules attach to the fundamental architectural structures in the skin: collagen and elastin fibers. Once sugar attacks these fibers, they become less elastic and more brittle. Glycation also causes these protein fibers to mutate, creating harmful new molecules called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The accumulation of AGEs causes further inflammation and structural damage to your collagen and elastin. Eventually, the repetitive attack of sugar undermines the skins internal scaffolding and weakens its strength and integrity. The result? Fine lines and wrinkles eventually start to manifest, and the skin takes on a more fragile and flaccid appearance.

Nutrition and health coach, Marla Bozic, echoes the importance of reducing sugar as an effective way to stave off the effects of ageing. “Your skin is a reflection of what is happening inside your body,” she says. “When you are eating whole foods, drinking plenty of water and exercising, your skin rewards you by glowing brightly. Alternatively, if you consume too much sugar, caffeine or artificial stuff, you risk acne and lifeless skin. Sugar, especially the white kind that sneaks into all sorts of foods, prematurely ages your skin and makes it dull and wrinkled. Beware of hidden sugars and check packets carefully. Fresh is always best.

Sugar and Problematic Skin

If it was not bad enough news for sweet-toothed types, researchers have no also indicated that sugar consumption increases androgen levels. Androgen directly stimulates the sebaceous follicle and leads to acne development. This is the last think you want to have happen if you’re someone suffering from problematic skin, even worse if you suffer in your later years as the skins ability to heal is also impeded by the presence of AEGs.

The Good News

If you change your ways and start to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet, you will notice remarkable improvements in your skin in as little as ten days. Your skin will start to look more radiant and youthful, it will become firmer and more elastic, and it will continue to improve for as long as you stick to the program. The aim should be to ensure that high-GI foods make up less than 10% of your total diet. The results you achieve from the dietary changes will be further accelerated if you use the appropriate skincare products to fight the effects of sugar from the outside in.

Five ways to cut the crap

Ditch the processed foodsEat an abundance of fruits and vegetablesHoney is the perfect replacement for that sugar fix in your money coffeeAnything with over 10grams of sugar …. Don’t touch it!

To compliment your sugar free nutrition plan head into your nearest Ella Baché Salon or David Jones counter and book in your favorite treatment.